Foundations for a new road bridge in Peel have been laid.

Work to replace the wooden Harbour Road bridge on the quay has so far resulted in a skeletal version of the new bridge-to-be with a crane bringing in steel frames.

Planning approval was granted (18/00309/B) in June last yearfor the demolition of the existing bridge and the construction of a new one with a temporary bridge being erected so motorists can still access the castle and breakwater.

A replacement bridge was seen as essential as the previously used hardwood timber bridge, which was built in 1938, had reached the end of its life. A rolling maintenance programme has been in place since the 1990s, but further deterioration means it needed to be replaced.

Unlike the old bridge, a footway will be included on the new bridge which will be on the northern side to tie in with the existing pavement on East Quay.

The replacement bridge will have a concrete deck on steel beams and will have two lanes of traffic.

Highway improvements will be made to the approaches in both directions and the load carrying capacity will increase from 20 to 44 tonnes.

Construction was timed to start in September after the black guillemots nesting season.

It was originally scheduled to take 16 weeks to complete with the project being budgeted at £410,000.

Road access to Peel’s castle, Fenella beach car park and the pier is currently ia a temporary bridge via Peel marina boatyard.